Weekly Bulletin - Coral Gables Congregational United Church of

WELCOME TO WORSHIP!
•No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey,
you are welcome in this United Church of Christ congregation.
•Large-print bulletins, hearing devices, and cough drops
are available from the ushers.
•Nursery and pre-school care is available during worship if you wish.
•God is calling you today, but probably not on your cell phone!
Please remember to put it on vibrate.
•ALL are welcome to this time and place of worship.
Know that in this space you are welcome as you are and for who you are.
As followers of Christ, we are compelled by the Gospel to seek reconciliation and
wholeness in a world that is all too often an unloving place.
Therefore, whether you are gay, straight, or in-between;
whatever your country of origin or ancestry;
whether you are a believer, a doubter or a seeker;
in Christ’s love, we welcome you, so that by the power
of the Holy Spirit we can work together to
usher in God’s Reign of justice, peace, and mercy.
•Invite your family and friends around the world to worship with us online
each Sunday at http://gablesucc.org/live.
The Reverend Dr. Laurinda Hafner, Senior Pastor
The Reverend Dr. Guillermo Márquez-Sterling, Associate Pastor
The Reverend Megan Smith, Associate Pastor
The Reverend Dr. Richard J. Bailar, Pastor Emeritus
Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ
3010 De Soto Boulevard
Coral Gables, Florida 33134-6317
Phone: 305.448.7421 ~ www.Gablesucc.org
CCLI License # 11282912
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May 10, 2015
THE ORDER OF WORSHIP
Our faith is over 2000 years old.
Our thinking is not.
11:00 a.m.
FESTIVAL OF THE CHRISTIAN HOME
You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.
~ Desmond Tutu
*Please stand as you are able
GATHERING MUSIC
Dr. Gregory Taylor, Parish Musician
THE WORDS OF WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Thank you for signing the red hospitality pad found in the pews and passing it around.
Please use your smart phone to check in on Facebook or Twitter and let your family and
friends know that you are at Coral Gables Congregational UCC.
Invite your family and friends around the world to worship with us online
each Sunday at http://gablesucc.org/live.
Be sure to “like” us at http://facebook.com/mycgcc.
You are most welcome to connect your smart device to our free wifi service.
MOMENT FOR MISSION
Bread for the World Mother's Day Offering of Letters
CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP
Gather In
Michelle Caravia, vocalist
*THE CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader:
Mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers,
Families in all shapes and sizes.
People:
Come and rejoice.
Leader:
Loud singers and quiet hummers,
Quick learners and patient teachers,
People:
Come and rejoice.
Leader:
Beachcombers and sunset watchers,
Couch potatoes and exuberant exercisers,
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Michael Keane
People:
Leader:
People:
Leader:
People:
Leader:
People:
Come and rejoice.
You who feel younger than springtime or older than the hills,
You who grew up with party lines or you who tweet,
Come and rejoice.
You who go faster than the speed of light or slower than molasses,
Introverts and extraverts, Type A's and Type B's
Come and rejoice.
We are part of God's diverse family,
And all are welcome here just as you are.
Come and rejoice.
Please remain standing for the opening hymn
*OPENING HYMN
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*OPENING PRAYER
ALL:
Come, Mother God,
come as an enfolding
nurturing presence,
come as steadfast love
to hold us.
Come, Mother God,
come as an enabling
strengthening force,
come as tough love
to let us go.
Come, Mother God,
come as friend and comforter
healing our wounds,
walking our way,
come as wounded healer
to make us whole.
We ask this in the name of your son and our brother Jesus, who
shared a prayer with his disciples that we still share as his disciples
today …
*THE LORD’S PRAYER (Sung)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
*THE PASSING OF THE PEACE
Leader:
Friends, we are the God’s family. Let us greet our brothers and sisters by
saying, "Peace be with you.
People: And also with you.
You are invited to share the peace or words of welcome with those around you.
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A TIME FOR CHILDREN (OF ALL AGES!)
All children infants – Pre-K4 are welcomed to attend Sunday School
following the Time for Children. Please go to the Fellowship Hall.
THE GIFT OF MUSIC
Dr. Ron Morgan, organ and Dr. Greg Taylor, piano
THE RECEIVING OF OUR GIFTS
Invitation
Offertory Music
Simple Song
Michelle Caravia, vocalist
Leonard Bernstein
*PRESENTATION OF GIFTS AND THE SINGING OF THE DOXOLOGY
Please stand as you are able
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below.
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*THE PRAYER OF DEDICATION
ALL:
Blessed are you, O Lord our God;
from you we receive the gift of life,
and by your grace we have gifts to return to you.
Accept our offerings and our lives
in praise and thanksgiving,
and may they be used
to give life to your family
here on earth.
Amen.
Please remain standing for the hymn on the following page.
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*HYMN
It is Love
Continued on following page
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Scott Kearns
THE MORNING MESSAGE
Miami Gay Men’s Chorus Chamber Ensemble and the Cherub, Agape, and the
Cantate Choirs of Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ
Present
Adapted by Eric Lane Barnes
Based on the children’s book The Purim Superhero by Elisabeth Kushner
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THE MORNING PRAYERS
*CLOSING HYMN
Go, My Children, with My Blessing
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*THE BENEDICTION
Following the benediction please be seated for the postlude
*THE POSTLUDE
Dr. Greg Taylor
During the postlude you are invited to come forward to the piano and enjoy the music.
Following our service, please join us in the Fellowship Hall for some refreshments
provided by the Women's Fellowship. Visitors, we would LOVE to have you join us.
A WARM AND CORDIAL WELCOME TO ALL GUESTS!
If you are visiting us today, we welcome you. We are grateful we have found each other.
And, if somehow, there is something in you, some still small voice seeking a place to live
out your faith, to ask important questions, and to serve beyond yourself, we invite you
into our community. For more information about the church or membership, please
contact Pastor Laurie at 305.448.7421, ext.116, LaurieH@gablesucc.org, or text her at
305.968.6482.
IN OUR PRAYERS…
We remember all those places of war, violence and unrest, as we continue to pray for
peace for all people around the world. A lighted candle on the altar table symbolizes
our prayers for peace.
THANK YOU TO OUR USHERS: Michael Flegel and David Dangler, Head Ushers;
Arnaldo Elguezabal, Mark Wolfe, and Dennis Rodrigues.
STAY IN TOUCH
Once a week or so, Pastor Laurie e-mails a pastoral letter, Laurie’s Lines, to all
members and friends, filling them in on the week’s events, any special concerns that
have arisen, and general church business. If you would like to be included, contact
Ron Morgan at RonM@gablesucc.org.
GERMAN LANGUAGE CHURCH
in der Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ
Wir nehmen Sie gerne auf in unseren E-Mailverteiler:
deutschekirchemiami@gmail.com
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THANK YOU TO OUR CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH CHOIRS
AND THEIR DIRECTORS
Cherub Choir,
Ashley Levin, Director
Grace Blanco
Andrea Cabrera-Elguezabal
Vivian Cleveland
Meiling LeSueur
Amelia McKay
Matthew Patterson
Carolina Reyes
Daniella Yanes-Nadal
Agape Choir,
Alexandra Woods, Director
Amanda Akers
Sloan Atkins
Camryn Reese Bagnall-Koger
Aidan Caffrey
Grayson Caffrey
Ainsleigh Hartley
Fiona Moore Baker
Ava Reyes
Lulu Rauton
Lauren Scott
Veronica Yanes-Nadal
Cantate Choir,
Anthony Cabrera, Director
Thea Morgan Hartley
Alice Heiden
Jack Heiden III
Karis Knoll
Laurel Moore Baker
Emily Roles Fotso
Liza Roles Fotso
Brooke Scott
MOTHER’S DAY OFFERING OF LETTERS
TODAY
Gables Congregational UCC is a partner congregation with Bread for the World, an
organization that stands in a long biblical and prophetic tradition of those who speak out
boldly in defense of people who are poor, hungry and consigned to the margins of
society. By changing policies, programs, and conditions that allow hunger and poverty to
persist, we provide help and opportunity far beyond the communities where we live.
This morning, we are holding a Mother’s Day Campaign Against Hunger. Following
worship, all church members and friends are invited to participate in Bread for the
Worlds’ Annual Offering of Letters, urging Congress to renew our federal government’s
major child nutrition programs including those for school meals and the WIC nutrition
program for pregnant and new mothers along with their small children.
In honor of your mother, grandmother, or other special women in your life, we invite you
to write a letter to President Obama and/or to your elected legislatures on behalf of so
many mothers who struggle every day to feed their families. In turn you will receive a
card to be given to your mother or special woman which says, “In your honor, I have
sent letters to the President of the United States and to my congressional leader urging
them to renew support for helping mothers around our nation and around the world to
feed their children. Happy Mother’s Day!” We can end hunger in our time, but everyone
must do his or her part. For more information about Bread for the World and how you
can play a part in helping to end hunger, visit http://www.bread.org.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Monday, May 11 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. in the Library
We gather in the church library to create beautiful prayer shawls to share with members
of our church family who are ill. You do not have to know how to knit or crochet –
someone will teach you. If you are looking for a ministry of care for others, this may be
it. Come and help wrap someone in God’s love by creating a beautiful prayer shawl.
ADULT SPIRITUAL FORMATION
Sunday Mornings from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. in Havighorst Lounge
The History of Making the Bible
Join us as we view lectures from The Teaching Company and share information from text
sources as we reflect on the making of the Bible. Childcare will be provided.
FAMILY PROMISE HOMELESS MINISTRY
Thursday, May 14, 7:00 p.m. at the Church of the Open Door UCC
A mother loses her job, a father is kept from working by an injury, a family is forced
from their home by a fire or natural disaster. Healthcare costs soar, public transportation
is underfunded, affordable housing is almost impossible to find. These are the reasons
why families now make up 40 percent of the homeless population. In response to this
crisis, a national organization called Family Promise seeks to bring the faith community
together to help families regain their housing, their independence, and their dignity.
We are now ready to venture deeper into this beautiful ministry and mission. This
Thursday, May 14, we will gather with other congregations to continue building this
reality. We will meet at 7:00 p.m. at the Church of the Open Door UCC at 6001 NW 8th
Ave., Miami 33127. If you wish, we will carpool from the church at 6:00 p.m. If you
would like to learn more about Family Promise and/or volunteer your time and talent
please contact Pastor Laurie (305-448-7421 ext. 116), Drew Sandbulte (ext. 150), or
Larry Silvester (larrysilvester@me.com) who are our congregation’s liaison to Family
Promise during this time of development and dreaming.
JUST PEACE WORLD CAFÉ WORKSHOPS
Sundays, May 17 and 24 12:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. in the Moye Chapel
Dr. Elton Skendaj, church member and UM professor, will facilitate a two part workshop
on being a Just Peace Church. What does this mean as we face new and old challenges of
violence and oppression in the U.S. and the world? The workshop will be interactive in a
World Café format. On May 17, we will explore our foundations as a Just Peace Church.
On May 24, we will explore implications for ethical engagement as Christians to build
peace in our communities and the world. We hope to come up with several action plans
for particular just and peace issues. A light lunch will be provided. Childcare is available.
DIG OUT THOSE TAP SHOES
Gables UCC’s Got Talent
Friday, June 5 from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. in Moye Chapel
Attention singers, actors, jugglers, hog callers, baton twirlers, poets, story-tellers, and all
the talented people of the church: the Gables Congregational UCC’s Got Talent Coffee
House, Season Six, is back. Contact Ron Morgan at RonM@gablesucc.org to sign up. All
members of all ages are welcome to participate in this event, and all are encouraged to
attend. We will provide the coffee and beverages. Audience members are asked to donate
desserts and fruit. This fun event is being hosted by the Board for Congregational Life.
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CALLING ALL FUN AND ADVENTOROUS PEOPLE
Café, Carafe, and Concert
Thursday evening, June 18 5:30 p.m.
The evening will begin at 5:30 p.m. as we board the church shuttle for a delectable
dinner at a premiere restaurant in Coral Gables. We return to the church and to your
reserved seat for a performance of Israeli cellist Amit Peled, acclaimed as one of the most
exciting instrumentalists on the concert stage today. During intermission, come to the
chapel for a cup of coffee and a bite of dessert. The entire evening is only $40.00.
RSVP to Drew Sandbulte at 305.448.7421 ext. 150 or DrewS@gablesucc.org.
INQUIRER’S GATHERING
Sunday, June 7 at 12:15 p.m. in the Library 12:15 p.m. in the Library
If you don’t want to check your mind at the church door…..
If you know that God’s love embraces all people, no matter who they are…
If you believe that faith requires tenderness and courage, a kind of big love that is
committed to changing people’s lives…ours and others…
If you want religion with relevancy…
If you’ve wished for an open and embracing community of faith to nurture your spirit,
grow your faith, and raise your children…
Then we warmly invite you to help us build the family of Gables UCC.
Come if you would like to inquire about becoming a member. Come if you just want to
inquire more about who we are, what we stand for, and what we believe. This gathering
will also give you a chance to meet some of our members and staff and give us an
opportunity to meet you. Childcare and a light lunch will be provided. Contact Pastor
Laurie at LaurieH@gablesucc.org or 305.448.7421 ext. 116 for more information.
SISTERS ON SOJOURN
Saturday, May 23 from 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
All women, regardless of age, are invited to join in this relaxed and easy-going group. As
we gather for our last meeting before summer, we will enjoy our annual “What to do this
Summer” review. Suggest a favorite book title, movie to watch, place to visit, something
to do or to see over the summer. A continental breakfast is provided, so roll out of bed,
throw on your jeans, and be with some sisters on the journey. If you need childcare,
please contact Pastor Megan at MeganS@gablesucc.org.
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COMMUNITY ARTS PROGRAM (CAP)
2015 Summer Concert Series
Begins Thursday, June 4
Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents!
Our Community Arts Program (CAP) 2015 Summer Concert Series begins June 4—and
runs 8:00 p.m. every other Thursday, through August 13—in our sanctuary. Join us
for June 4 opening night! This will be an unforgettable journey, when select members of
the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JALCO) present an evening of jazz greats. The
concert will be packed with the music and composers who defined jazz and catapulted it
to the “Great American Art Form.” This also begins an exciting CAP affiliation between
Jazz at Lincoln Center and the CAP Miami Jazz Institute. Opening for JALCO members
will be the CAP ALL-STAR Jazz Ensemble, fresh from its performance on the Jazz at
Lincoln Center stage and the 2015 Essentially Ellington Festival. CAP Summer Concert
Series tickets range from $30-$50 in advance. Call 305.448.7421, ext. 120 for more info
and to reserve your seats! Tickets and info will soon also be available online at
www.CommunityArtsProgram.org.
THE ELEPHANT RETURNS TO WORSHIP THIS SUMMER
Has there ever been something you wanted to know about your faith, but were afraid to
ask? Well, this is your chance to ask tough questions about the Bible, church, ethics, or
life and get an honest and personal answer back from Pastor Laurie. Maybe it’s a topic or
issue that we tend to sweep under the rug or ignore in order to keep the peace, avoid
disagreement, or maybe even change… kind of like that proverbial elephant in the room
or, in this case, in the Pew.
Over the past six years, Pastor Laurie has
answered questions concerning Palestine and
Israel, atonement, angels, the afterlife and
even one in 2010 about whether LeBron
James, Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade were
really the “New Kingdom” as the Miami
Herald declared. (For the record, she said
yes). E-mail, write, or call Pastor Laurie, or
go to the Gables UCC Facebook page and
leave your question. She just might preach on it! Then join us after worship for the
Sermon Feedback Café. Have a little lunch and a conversation with Pastor Laurie about
her sermon for the day. We will meet at 12:15 p.m.in Havighorst Lounge.
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A VERY SPECIAL PRESENTATION:
Not Safe To Be Me
Sunday, May 31 12:15 p.m. in the Chapel
Join us after our 11:00 a.m. worship service for Not Safe to Be Me, a film emerging from the
story of our very own Robert Loupo and Safe Schools South Florida, an organization where much
of the training and teacher education takes
place right here at Gables UCC . This
timely and sensitive film about the issues
faced by the LGBT community from the
early 20th century to present examines
bullying, coming out, history, religion and
suicide through a series of interviews with
young and mature LGBT people sharing
their own experiences.
Paralleling their stories is the biography of
Miami-Dade educator Robert Loupo,
whose own experiences with suicide and
assault led him to create Safe Schools
South Florida, an organization that trains
teachers to recognize and intervene in
anti-gay bullying. Laura D’Antoni, the
film’s director says of her experience,
“Interviewing LGBT people who have
been through so much torture in their lives
was an eye opening experience. It was
inspiring to talk to people like Robert who
have seen so much hatred and still have so
much love, hope and strength to advocate
for young people.”
The film, which explores how sexualization, marginalization and isolation have kept gay youth in
the closet throughout the 20th century and even to today, was selected for a community free
screening during the 17th Annual Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in April. Said Joe
Bilancio, Director of Programming for the Festival, “This film would have been selected for the
festival regardless of where it was made but the fact that it is about an organization doing
amazing things, right here in South Florida, it was a slam dunk.”
Please plan on attending this compelling presentation. Snack food available. Donations gratefully
accepted.
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CORAL GABLES CONGREGATIONAL UCC STAFF DIRECTORY
Ministers
All Members of the Church
Pastoral Staff
The Rev. Dr. Laurinda Hafner, Senior Pastor
LaurieH@gablesucc.org ext. 116
The Rev. Dr. Guillermo Márquez-Sterling, Associate Pastor
GuillermoM@gablesucc.org ext. 117
The Rev. Megan Smith, Associate Pastor
MeganS@gablesucc.org ext. 119
Program Staff
Mark Hart, Exec. Dir. of the Community Arts Program
Dr. Ronald Morgan, Director of Music Ministries
Dr. Gregory Taylor, Parish Musician
Janet Hiles, Director of Early Childhood Center
To contact Early Childhood Center, please call:
MarkH@gablesucc.org ext. 120
RonM@gablesucc.org ext.121
Gregpiano1@aol.com ext. 155
JanetH@gablesucc.org
305-444-9792
Support Staff
Kris Coney, Sound Technician
info@gablesucc.org
Allen Feldman, Pew Organizer
Alice Fernandez, Accounting Assistant
AliceF@gablesucc.org ext. 127
Ashley Levin, Cherub Choir Director
Ashlevin93@aol.com
Chely Llorens, Wedding & Baptism Coordinator
ChelyL@gablesucc.org ext. 112
Tony Prinzi, Print Room Manager & Reception Coordinator
TonyP@gablesucc.org ext. 100
Dennis Rodrigues, Business Manager
DennisR@gablesucc.org ext.130
Drew Sandbulte, Administrative Assistant
DrewS@gablesucc.org ext.150
Alex Sloan, Director of Media Ministry
AlexS@gablesucc.org ext.151
Alexandra Woods, Agape Choir Director
awoods@cushmanschool.org
Maintenance and Custodial Team
Rene Dominguez, Rosario Noriega, and Guillermo Ordoñez
WE ARE OUT OF THE BOX PEOPLE!
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